Despite overall deficit on the market for fire fighter radios to comply with SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg. 10-10.4, our company informs that limited quantity of MED and ATEX approved radio apparatus is available on our stock.
Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg. 10-10.4 to carry a minimum of two 2-way portable radiotelephones for each fire party for fire-fighter’s communication on board not later than the first safety equipment survey after 1 July 2018 but before 30 June 2019.
The above requirements were announced in due time – at least a year in advance- and few manufacturers even offered discounted prices for pre-orders. Now with high demand, many manufacturers cannot meet delivery terms, which leads to noncompliance to SOLAS Chapter II-2 Reg. 10-10.4. Several shipowners tried to use written order confirmations from manufacturers to present to attending inspectors; unfortunately a piece of paper does not replace a working and compliant fire-fighter radio station- few incidents occurred.
We encourage all shipowners to equip their vessels so to evade possible problems during inspection.